I'm agnostic about O'Hara - he was great at Portsmouth, less impressive when Wolves were going down. That said, he does have Premier League experience, even if he's not there now. But I don't agree that we shouldn't sign from outside the Premier League. There are Championship players (and, perhaps, even lower down the league than that) who are ready to step up and do a great job in the Premier League, for us or for someone else. If we buy future stars before they prove themselves in the top division that's the best way of getting value for money. Of course, that strategy only works if you can identify the right players. Get it wrong and you just stock up on mediocrity. Our strategy should be a balance of value signings from overseas, established names and up-and-coming future stars.
Neither do I, and I didn't say that. O'Hara playing in the Championship isn't why I don't rate him at all.
If O'Hara was our replacement for Dembele/Murphy, then I would question our transfer policy. Is more coffee in order, Capitano?
I like Huddlestone; always have. With Dembele back from injury and Scott Parker coming back from injury, Spurs might make Huddlestone available in January for purchase or loan. He's probably 4th in then pecking order for a place in Tottenham's midfield.
Yeah I like Huddlestone too. If Spurs sign that Portuguese bloke (his name is on the tip of my tongue!) then he'll be even further down the food chain.
Joao moutinho bidders? Tom huddlestone is a good player I remember seeing him in the England u21 and thinking he was lazy it looked like he took his boots off at half time and left them in the centre circle and then carried on from here he left off. (Implying no movement from him). I haven't seen him lately so can't comment on his movement lately.
I know he's not a CM, but we could do worse than hook up another Greek, Georios Samras of Celtic. Reckon he would work well with Berba. At least we'd have smeone who could hold up Schwarzer's hoofs and it may take some pressure who we can afford for the (still needed) CM spot.
I can't see Celtic selling (or him choosing to leave them) now that they are through to the next stage of the Champions League. That's one transfer that is unlikely to happen in January. Even then, I'm not convinced he's what we need. I think Ruiz and Berbatov have been at the heart of what's been right about us this season; the problems, such as they are, are further back in the team. We could do with a new partner for Diarra, but when everyone is fit we're pretty well set up overall.
Fair point about the CL Captain. Mainly I was thinking that his style of play would suit us but also had at the back of my mind that, since Jol hadn't ruled out signing Bent in recent interviews, he may be considering a forward. And with Villa saying they want £18m for Bent (laugh! laugh!), Samras would be the better buy at £4-£5m. Maybe in the summer? On midfielders, there are reports that we're back in for Derek Boateng - Given Diarra's fitness concerns and his International commitments in January that would be a sound move. However, it still leaves us with a deparate need for someone creative in the midfield.
